Trade Privacy for a Car Insurance Discount?

Nearly two-thirds of drivers said they would allow an insurance company to install a breathalyzer in their cars - nearly twice the percentage who would allow a cellphone disabling device, a new survey finds.

CarInsurance.com commissioned a survey of 500 licensed drivers about steps they would take to save money on their car insurance bills. Even the least popular suggestion -- an onboard observation camera -- would be embraced by 20% of discount-seekers. Here are the results:

64% would let an insurance company install a breathalyzer in their cars.

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But there are indeed discounts for installing devices that monitor your driving habits, the number of miles you drive and the hours of the day that you are on the road -- and the discounts can be substantial. Most major insurers have a “pay-as-you-drive” program, such as Progressive's Snapshot or Allstate's Drive Wise. All look at mileage, but others also monitor driving behavior such as braking and acceleration. (See “Pay-as-you-drive insurance plans.”)

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Drivers in the survey were also asked about discounts for safety systems.

70% said anti-lock brakes would result in a discount.

80% said collision-avoidance systems would result in a discount.

31% said voice-operated controls for navigation, phone and e-mail would result in a discount.

Of those three items, only antilock brakes typically result in a discount. (Newer technologies take quite a while to gain traction with insurance companies.)

See a complete Guide to Discounts for information on the discounts available for your profession, education, marriage, military service and even good grades.